From Clay to Craft: Inside the World of Bergs Potter

Some objects carry a quiet kind of magic. They don’t shout for attention but settle into our spaces with warmth, presence, and meaning. Bergs Potter is one of those rare brands — where every pot is more than a vessel. It’s a story of heritage, hands, and deep care for plants and the people who tend to them.

The story begins in 1942, in the heart of Copenhagen. Victor Berg, a young accountant, inherited a ceramics shop filled with simple clay pots. In the midst of wartime, he added fresh flowers to his storefront, pairing them with terracotta in the hope of spreading a bit of joy. That small act became the beginning of what would grow into a beloved family business.

Years later, Victor’s children carried the business forward, traveling across Europe in search of the finest materials and craftspeople. Their journey led them to Tuscany, where they discovered a family-owned workshop steeped in centuries-old ceramic tradition. That partnership remains the foundation of Bergs Potter’s production today.

Each pot is still crafted by hand in Italy using superior, sustainably sourced clay and traditional techniques. Fired at exceptionally high temperatures, these pots are built to last — their porous structure allowing plant roots to breathe while retaining just the right amount of moisture.

As Bergs Potter puts it:

If your plants could speak, they would tell you that there is nothing better than a quality clay pot. Proper drainage gives their roots room to breathe, and superior clay holds in the moisture they need.

— Bergs Potter

A Legacy in Every Detail

Bergs Potter pots come in a variety of exclusive designs — each with its own story. Some are inspired by antique pottery found in castles, noble manors, and flea markets across Europe. Others are created in collaboration with talented designers and ceramic artists. Many of the brand’s unique moulds are handcrafted in plaster, a delicate material that evolves with use and brings a subtle variation to each embossed detail.

Some pots are thrown by hand on the wheel, meaning no two will be exactly the same in size or shape. Every piece is carefully trimmed and inspected by hand before it ever reaches the kiln. This dedication to detail ensures each pot is both beautiful and perfectly suited for growing — all while upholding one of Italy’s oldest ceramic crafts.

Colour Variations & Patina 

No two Bergs Potter pots are exactly alike — and that's precisely what makes them special. Each one is shaped by the raw, organic nature of its materials and the unique conditions it passes through during production. 

For the raw terracotta collection, colour variation is part of the beauty. The clay is sourced from the Italian subsoil — a naturally variable material that responds to its environment. Factors like humidity, air temperature, and the position of the pot in the kiln all influence the final appearance. Some will emerge slightly darker, others lighter, all bearing individual markings and surface textures that speak to their origin.

Over time, the changes continue. Terracotta is a living, breathable material. As water moves through the pot and evaporates, salts and minerals from the soil can rise to the surface, forming a gentle patina. Humid environments will darken the clay temporarily, while dry conditions let it return to its original tone.

When a pot is watered, and it changes colour, it means it breathes.
— Bergs Potter

In contrast, the glazed collection offers a different kind of variation. Each piece is hand-dipped in rich glazes that naturally flow and settle across the surface, creating depth and nuance. Creases and carved details often appear darker, and since each glaze batch is mixed independently, slight shifts in tone from one pot to another are both natural and expected.

These variations — whether in raw clay or ceramic glaze — are not imperfections. They’re signs of life, of craft, and of the very human process behind every Bergs Potter piece.

For us, Bergs Potter is more than just a best-seller — it’s a brand we return to again and again because it reflects the values we hold dear: quality over quantity, timeless design over fleeting trend, and a genuine connection between people, plants, and the objects that surround them.

Whether you’re starting your first herb garden or gifting a pot to a fellow plant lover, a Bergs Potter piece brings a little bit of history, humanity, and enduring beauty into your space.